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Clutch pedal very hard to start pushing in...


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It could be the clutch cable chewing into the metal outer casing, or it could be an issue with the pressure plate. 

Also check the retainer pin at the top of the clutch pedal - mine recently “dropped” out. I replaced it with a pin from the brake pedal, there’s a plastic safety clip and a metal circlip that holds the pin in rather than just that pushed on inverted star clip. 

Mine feels much better now that the pin is intalled correctly. I don’t know how long it was only holding by one side of the clutch cable U piece that the pin passes through on both sides. 

Cheers 

Bennie

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  • 1 month later...

On my 84 gl, the clutch pedal box bent.    As the pedal became less efficient  at pulling  the cable, it felt like the clutch plate was going bad.   

 

 

Look ook at the assembly that holds the clutch pedal, and press the clutch pedal with your hand.

 

Does the frame which holds the pedal deform?

I wish I had done this before I replaced my clutch plate!

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  • 1 month later...

tried to determine which of the two clutch assemblies was for my car.

i have a VIN number that is not USA ...so they wouldn't help me.

The parts code is identical but there is a description  for two. (different lengths cable)

I have a Station Wagon. I am GUESSING that SW means Stationwagon.  I have a 4WD and I think I have a GL series.

 

here in Australia they call my vehicle a 1990 Sportswagon but I believe it is the L- series.

I am thinking of ordering (thru somebody) from the USA but only if I can dertermine exxactly what cable I need.

thanks for any input.

Rae

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You won’t fit a LHD cable to a RHD subi. What you have there is a DL L series or Leone wagon. They’re like the black sheep of the Subaru family in a few ways, are parts interpretation books quite often mix them up with the MY and the Liberty models. 

With the pressure plate yours will be the larger one for the 4wd gearbox. The 2wd gearbox uses a smaller clutch pressure plate and disc - at least that’s what I found with the series 1 fwd sedans, I’m not 100% sure they kept this setup in the serie 2 fwd L’s. 

Cheers 

Bennie

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thanks for that info El Freddo....saves me telephoning California if their cable won't fit a RHD.

and yes Steptoe....I will phone ANOTHER Subaru dealer....maybe they have a parts person that is able to find a cable. (although the last guy was very helpful and called me back with his information)

 

El Freddo...so I have a black sheep of the family.???? Why so? Are they a bit different to the others...not the same in North America?

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1 hour ago, rae houghton said:

El Freddo...so I have a black sheep of the family.???? Why so? Are they a bit different to the others...not the same in North America?

Small things and larger, more annoying things. 

The L series has a push forward low range lever. The brumby and later EJ models all have a pull up/back lever. 

The L series has a poor engine design, most likely a reactive move due to the 80’s marketing catch cry of overhead cam. In my opinion it was a rushed design and should’ve been dropped for a small EJ engine that would’ve been a thousand times better in the L from the get go.

The EA81 was bullet proof and they had EFI versions of this ready for the L series (In my opinion; many manufacturers will put the next updated engine into the higher end model before it’s released across the board in the next model, it helps with R&D of final real world bugs and builds consumer confidence). On the other side of the EA82 is the sturdy EJ22, just as bulletproof as the EA81 and if not, almost twice as powerful.

The larger, more annoying issue as the black sheep is how people and parts catalogues can often mix the L series/Leone with the MYs and the Liberty/Legacy models. I’ve had times where I was sold Liberty tie rod ends and ball joints etc because the updated parts catelogue change the part numbers to that of the Liberty/Legacy. 

Some things (well, one actually) that do carry on from the L series is the gearbox layout/design. There are changes to the back of the box for the AWD but the general front cases layout hasn’t really changed in the 5spd setup.

Cheers 

Bennie

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Steptoe....if you have time can you give me the name of the dealer who sold you a clutch cable for the L Series.  I might need someone who knows how to look at a catalogue (thanks El Freddo)  I have had trouble at SuperCheap with finding parts for my car as they often get the L Series mixed up with some other model.

as for my EA82 engine....NOT very powerful I have noticed.

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Give that number to your local Subaru dealer.

There are ways to get power out of an EA82, but it starts with the twin intake port heads and manifolds of the mpfi and it's turbo variant.

I have run a carb block with turbo heads etc and used an LPG system off a 4.1 litre Falcon. Was fun to drive, very audible on the intake side. More fun when I removed 36 kg of rear drive components

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2 minutes ago, el_freddo said:

@rae houghton - look up Dom’s motors in Griffith NSW, ask for Andy in the parts department and tell him Bennie recommended him. He’ll find what you need ;) 

Cheers 

Bennie

Save on postage if you just put a tiny cracker under local dealers bottom. But yeah, Andy is a wealth of knowledge and has sent parts as far as the UK

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WELL THANKS eL fREDDO (bENNIE)  and Steptoe.

Now I have phoned another dealership ...then phoned ANDY and gave number you photographed above (steptoe) and Andy checked the national Subaru dealer network, then Ebay, then Repco, Then Burson's (I'd done Bursons already, but he checked anyway)....and NO LUCK!

Unbelieveable.!  2nd hand may be the only answer

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anyone have a contact in Japan.? You

would think that , as British drive on the right, that maybe they have the right product. But I wonder if it is exactly the same.

Any ideas on that Steptoe / Bennie / others.

What with models having different names everywhere, makes it tricky. (I wonder if they even sold these in Britain)

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Rae, good idea - great minds think alike :)my dealer, when trying for another component, no, actually, same item, just different model, Googled the genuine part number and found a UK parts company listing it

When I placed an order with them, I only helped them audit their catalogue - nil stock

Once upon a time we had people who could make you a new cable, copying what you have, possibly using outer cable ends

A specialist brake and clutch place is a non cyberspace place to try after Google for both UK sources or custom make

 

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